Do I need to have umpiring experience in order to join the chapter?

No. You only need a desire to work and learn. The IBUA conducts a New Umpire Training Course for all new members. That course is designed to provide you
with a working knowledge of the rules and umpire mechanics so that you can begin your development as a baseball umpire.

How do I join the IBUA?

What about equipment and uniforms?

Each umpire supplies his/her own
equipment and uniforms At the minimum, this should include a mask, chest protector,
shinguards, shoes, Charcoal gray pants that can fit over the shinguards, navy blue uniform shirt, fitted cap, ball bag, indicator, and a plate brush.
Uniform and equipment packages are available from various vendors (See our LINKS page). The cost of a complete package can run from about
$250 to over $1,000 depending on the type and amount of equipment and uniforms you purchase.

How long does the "season" last?

IBUA only assigns games for the area high school season. Meetings will begin in January, High School scrimmages and the regular season games start late
February. Regular season play concludes mid May. Playoffs start mid May and conclude first week of June.

I have several years experience working as an umpire. Will that experience count?

The IBUA assigns games based upon performance and not years of service (seniority). New umpires generally start out calling Freshman/JV games and advance
to higher levels based upon their performance. If you have prior experience at higher levels (college, etc.) or are transferring from another CBUA unit or
from another state's organization, the board may approve a schedule of higher level games based upon that experience. The bottom line is that your experience
may have some bearing on your assignments, but it really depends on your performance as a umpire.

I want to call higher level baseball. How long will it take before I can get assigned to those games?

That depends entirely on your skills as an umpire. The IBUA assigns
games based upon performance and not years of service. There is no
"magic formula" to determine if, or when, you may get assigned higher
level games. The general track for getting to the higher level is
starting out calling Freshman/JV games, then moving up to small school
varsity games, then getting some large school varsity games, then
getting assigned consistently to the very good Varsity games.